Improvement in harvesters



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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL S. ALLEN, OF BRISTOL, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent'No. 16,957, dated April 7, 1857.

companying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists in combining together an upper platform and sliding pole with the mainframe and an inclined draftrod,in the manner fully described hereinafter, so that the machine during its progress over the ground .may be relieved from the side draft so oppressive to the horses in ordinary harvesters.

On reference to the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a ground plan, showing my improvements in harvesters, the main or driving Wheel being in section; Fig. 2, a transverse section of the same on the line l 2, Fig. l; Fig. 3, also a transverse section on the line 3 4, Fig. 1.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is the finger-bar, securedat one end to the dividing-board B and at the other end to the framing O. The dividingboard is furnished with the usual wheel, D, and extending from the board to the framing O', at the rear ofthe machine, is the bar E, which, with the fingerbar, serves to connect the whole firmly together.

The above portion of the machine I term the main frame.7 l

In suitable boxes,a a, on the frame O is hung a shaft, F, on the end of which is a pinion, G, the teeth of which gear into the internal teeth of the main or driving wheel H. On the shaft F is also secured a bevel-wheel, I,which gears into a pinion, J, on the shaft K. The latter turns in boxes b b on the framing O, and is furnished at the end` with a crank-wheel, L, to a pin on which is attached one end of the connecting-rod M, the opposite end of the latter being connected to the cutter-bar N.

I? is the stationary axle for the main driving-wheel. This axle is secured at one end to a block, d, and at the other end to a bracket, e, both being attached to the framing G.

Q is the upper platform, on the under side of which is a strap or staple, f, which passes round the stationary axle P, so as to form a hinge on which the main frame turns. Attached to the front end of the framing O is a curved rack, R, into which gears a wheel, S, hung to a pin on the edge of the upper platform, Q. To the face ofthe wheel S is secured a lever, r, which is of sufficient length to be within reach of the hand of the driver on the seat t.

T is a spring-pawl, the point of which has a tendency to pass between the teeth ofthe wheel S when not otherwise raised therefrom by the depression ofthe treadle-lever U,which is hung to a bracket on the upper platform, Q, in such a manner that its end bears against the under side of the spring-pawl.

VV is the pole of the machine., which is arranged to slide longitudinally in staples t c, attached to the front of the upper platform. It is also allowed to have a vertical movement.

On the side ofthe pole, and between the two.

staples, is a pin, to which is connected one end of the draft rod or chain m,which passes 'through the platform, takes an angular direction, as seen in dotted lines, Fig. l, and is connected to the edge of the framing C, behind the cutterbar. ln the front end of the upper platform, and on one side of the pole, turns the caster W, the form and operation ofwhich will be understood Without further description.

From the under side of the upper platform is suspended a curved iron plate, X, which, together with another curved plate, Y, attached to the under side of the cutter-bar, combine to form a shield for prevent-ing cut grain or grass from coming in contact with the crank-wheel and impeding its operations.

Z is the platform,which can be removed from and reattached to the cutter-frame when it is desirable to convert the machine from a mower to a reaper, orvice versa.

The proper lateral position as regards that of the main frame is maintained on one side by the rack E and on the opposite side by a guidepost, w.

Operation: In the Figs. 2 and 3 the machine is shown as arranged for mowing. As the machine is drawn over the ground motion is` cornmunicated to the shaft F from the main driving-wheel, and the necessary reciprocating motion imparted to the cutter-bar by means of the bevel-wheel I, pinion J, and crank-wheel L.

Should the driver during the progress 4of the machine observe any stone or other obstruction l' f This facility of rapidly raising the cutters is also of great advantage when it is desirable to turn the machine round.

In cutting matted 0r tangled grass it is frequently necessary thatan extrapressure should be put upon the cutter-bar. This has hitherto been accomplished in mowing-'machines by the driver standing directly on the bar, which not only involves the necessity ofthe seat heilig deserted, but places him in a dangerous position. The required pressure may be given to the cutter-bar in my machine by the dri ver simply releasing thc spring-pawl and depressing the lever r, at the same time maintaining his posi tion on the seat.

By the peculiar arrangement of the sliding pole V, in connection with the draft-rod m, it is evident that the point of traction, instead of being on one side of the machine, as usual, is removed so near to the center that the side 'draft is avoided. At the same time ample room is afforded for the horses Without interfering 4with the standing grain or grass.

As the pole is allowed to have a vertical movement independent of the platform, it is evident that the necks of the horses must be relieved from the weight of the machine, and from the shocks which occur in passing over uneven ground. By means ofthe plates X and Y, the end of one overlapping the other, a secure shield is afforded for the protection of the crank-Wheel, no matter what the position of the upper platform, Q, maybe in respect to that of the main frame.

When the machine has to be used for reaping all that is necessary is to place the curved platform Z in its proper position on the main frame, adapt the usual reel ,to the machine, then raise the cutter-bar to the height required by the nature of the grass.

Instead of removing the grain from the platform in the usual manner, I propose to hinge a rake to the post a2, the said'post being so situated as to insure the rake cleaning the platform ywith but little exertion on the part ofthe operator.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the upper platform, Q, and sliding pole V with the main frame G and inclined draft rod or chain, when the same are constructed and arranged for joint operation substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

I testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification before two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY HoWsoN, WILLIAM E. WALTON. 

